Sympathoimmune Anomalies Underlying the Response to Stressful Challenge in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Spectrum Disease

Author(s)

Barry E. Hurwitz
Kimberly A. Brownley
Sarosh J. Motivala
John R. Milanovich
Jeffery L. Kibler, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Lise Fillion
William G. LeBlanc
Mahendra Kumar
Nancy G. Klimas, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Mary Ann Fletcher, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Niel Schneiderman

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-2005

Publication Title

Psychosomatic Medicine

Volume

67

Issue/Number

5

First Page

798

ISSN

0033-3174

Last Page

806

Abstract/Excerpt

Objective: This study examined immune, endocrine, and cardiovascular reactivity during stressful behavioral challenge in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seropositive (HIV+) and seronegative (HIV-) men and women and assessed whether immunocellular reactivity was differentially associated with concomitant alterations in sympathetic response.

Methods: The 133 HIV+ [84 asymptomatic, 49 symptomatic] and 92 HIV- subjects completed a speech stress reactivity protocol.

Results: Immunocellular reactivity to the speech stressor did not differ among asymptomatic and symptomatic HIV+ groups; however, relative to seronegatives, reactivity differences were present. Specifically, HIV+ subjects exhibited greater increases in total number of T cells, as well as in cytotoxic/suppressor T cells, activated T cells, and activated cytotoxic/suppressor T cells, and less increase in natural killer (NK) cell numbers. In addition, less stress-induced increase in NK cell cytotoxicity was observed along with greater suppression of the lymphoproliferative response to mitogen stimulation in the HIV+ group. Although no group differences in catecholamine reactivity were observed, the association of immunoreactivity with catecholamine responsiveness differed between serostatus groups. Specifically, the HIV+ subjects compared with HIV- subjects displayed greater lymphocytosis per unit change in norepinephrine; whereas NK cell reactivity was positively related to epinephrine responsiveness, but only in the HIV- group. These findings were present even after controlling for age and body mass, as well as other potential influences on immunocellular migration, such as cortisol levels and prevailing cardiac output.

Conclusion: Early in HIV spectrum disease, functional abnormalities in the stress-induced migratory ability of specific immunocellular subsets are present that may reflect an underlying pathophysiological alteration in sympathoimmune communication.

NSUWorks Citation

Hurwitz, B. E., Brownley, K. A., Motivala, S. J., Milanovich, J. R., Kibler, J. L., Fillion, L., LeBlanc, W. G., Kumar, M., Klimas, N. G., Fletcher, M. A., Schneiderman, N. (2005). Sympathoimmune Anomalies Underlying the Response to Stressful Challenge in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Spectrum Disease. Psychosomatic Medicine, 67(5), 798-806.
Available at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cps_facarticles/589